Balukh does not intend to stop hunger strike – Chiygoz

Deputy Сhairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people informed about attempts to feed Balukh last week

SIMFEROPOL / AQMESCIT (QHA) -

Ukrainian activist, illegally convicted in the occupied Crimea, Volodymyr Balukh has been starving for 43 days. This was reported by the Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Akhtem Chiygoz.

He noted that Balukh does not plan to stop the hunger strike.

“He keeps starving. He certainly will not give it up until the trial. Last week there were attempts to feed him, but he refused. He stands fast," the Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis stressed.

Earlier, Volodymyr Balukh refused to stop the hunger strike.

QHA reported that, Balukh declared an indefinite hunger strike, protesting against the verdict of the court. March 19, the Ukrainian was transferred to a solitary confinement cell.

Reference: Razdolnensky district court in the occupied Crimea condemned Volodymyr Balukh for 3 years and 7 months of imprisonment for his civic position Volodymyr Balukh will serve time in the colony-settlement. The Ukrainian activist was taken into custody in the courthouse.

Volodymyr Balukh is a Crimean farmer, who hung out a Ukrainian flag on his house in 2014, which was repeatedly ripped off by Crimean security officials. In November 2016 Volodymyr attached to his house a sign with the inscription "18, Heroes of Heavenly Hundred Street”. According to him, he then started receiving threats from local “administration” saying that if he did not remove it, then some drugs or weapons could be found in his house, which in fact has happened.